So what, they threw a big ole wad of foil up onto the sat dish on the roof? And it disrupted the connection? And yet they were still able to get approval from the CC company? Or did the clerk just say stupid computer, fark it, sign here?Need more details!!

Intrepid00:moefuggenbrew: I don't get it, use foil to block signal... how card get approved?

If the amount is low it will be accepted and posted when they get connection back.

Curious about this? My business has an internet-based merchant account, so its a totally different thing... but if there's no connection, there's no sale. As well, I buy cigs and the like for less than $10 from my local corner store on my credit/debit card... its often not gone through because the dude has the crappiest phone line connection. I have to pay cash.

moefuggenbrew:I don't get it, use foil to block signal... how card get approved?

Many PoS systems are designed to accept (without approval) and store transactions under $X if the approval/charge system is unavailable, on the basis that you'd rather risk some fraud than forgo credit card sales. When communications resume the stored transactions are played back. Usually the transactions go through; when they don't someone has to eat the cost -- I'd assume the retailer, but I haven't actually seen the relevant portion of a merchant agreement.

Suckmaster Burstingfoam:downstairs: As well, I buy cigs and the like for less than $10 from my local corner store on my credit/debit card... its often not gone through because the dude has the crappiest phone line connection.

Er. Maw. Gerd.

Somebody on this planet still has internet by telephone? What third-world technologically backward shiatheap of a medieval banana republic do you live in?

Suckmaster Burstingfoam:downstairs: As well, I buy cigs and the like for less than $10 from my local corner store on my credit/debit card... its often not gone through because the dude has the crappiest phone line connection.

Er. Maw. Gerd.

Somebody on this planet still has internet by telephone? What third-world technologically backward shiatheap of a medieval banana republic do you live in?

It's still pretty common in rural areas, but and it's still common for credit card machines. They don't send a lot of data back and forth, so a phone line works just fine.

Arsten:Plant Rights Activist: moefuggenbrew: I don't get it, use foil to block signal... how card get approved?

[i.istockimg.com image 380x255]

am I the only one that remembers these?

I used those a long time ago in retail. I'd be surprised if stores even had those, anymore.

Most do for power/phone/internet failures. I just used one last week at the vet because a storm took out their data connection. The girl didn't know how to use it, an older staff member had to show her.

Lsherm:Most do for power/phone/internet failures. I just used one last week at the vet because a storm took out their data connection. The girl didn't know how to use it, an older staff member had to show her.

Arsten:Lsherm: Most do for power/phone/internet failures. I just used one last week at the vet because a storm took out their data connection. The girl didn't know how to use it, an older staff member had to show her.

I am honestly surprised that they haven't updated this fallback, yet.

Well it's simple, it provides three copies (at least) and it requires a signature that gets stamped on each copy. It requires no power, and no communication device.

Suckmaster Burstingfoam:downstairs: As well, I buy cigs and the like for less than $10 from my local corner store on my credit/debit card... its often not gone through because the dude has the crappiest phone line connection.

Er. Maw. Gerd.

Somebody on this planet still has internet by telephone? What third-world technologically backward shiatheap of a medieval banana republic do you live in?

That would be New Orleans.

But in all seriousness most ma and pa corner stores still use a telephone connection for their credit card machines. I'm sure even in big, highly technological cities.